Maldives Overview

Located in the Indian Ocean some 435 miles (700kms) southwest of Sri Lanka, the Republic of the Maldives is an island nation comprised of 26 atolls encompassing 1,192 islets, of which about 200 are inhabited. With around 300,000 inhabitants, the Maldives is the world's smallest Islamic nation and also the smallest Asian nation based on population. more...

Maldives Activities

Across from Male's Botanical Gardens is the Muslim Graveyard, which offers some interesting sights in the way of old tombstones dedicated to some of the nation's most famous deceased characters. more...

Maldives Events and Festivals

Independence Day: Maldivian locals celebrate their nation’s independence on 26 July with official celebrations held in Republic Square on the island of Malé. An army march takes place, followed by a parade with brightly coloured floats and displays of traditional dancing. more...

Maldives Sightseeing

The second most significant Maldivian destination after Male, Addu is home to a small holiday resort. The island has a unique ambience based on the fact that the locals speak their own dialect and consider themselves independent of the rest of the archipelago. The island is still relatively undeveloped and visitors have plenty of opportunities to see local life in the small villages scattered across Addu. more...

Maldives Transport

Vessels known as dhoni provide the main source of public transportation between the various atolls. These diesel engine-powered boats are the cheapest and most commonly available mode of transport in the archipelago. For long distance trips to the outer atolls, vessels known as vedis are used. Dhoni also come in modified states and are used for the island cruises offered by local tour operators. more...

Maldives Travel Tips

The Maldivian rufiyaa is the nation's official currency. One rufiyaa is equal to 100 laaris. Banknotes are issued in denominations of MVR500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5, while coins come in MVR1 and 2, and 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1 laaris. In popular resorts visitors will find most goods and services are priced in US dollars. Other currencies such as euros and sterling are also often accepted. Credit cards are widely accepted as a form of payment with major cards such as Visa, AMEX, MasterCard and Diner's Club among the most commonly used. more...